Sweet Hope (Sweet Home #4)(97)
Looking at all of us around the table, Molly sucked in a deep breath. “Sorry for interrupting, guys.” Ally reached down to take my hand, a happy smile on her lips, as she guessed what her best friend was about to say.
“Go on, Molls, you sexy beast!” Cassie shouted and took a swig of beer.
Molly shook her head, laughing, and took a long deep breath. “I’m not really one for public speaking, at least not outside of the classroom. But I couldn’t let this night pass without a toast or two being shared.”
Molly fixed her eyes on me. “Firstly, I wanted to offer huge congratulations to Axel for what is one of the greatest achievements a sculptor could hope for... his very own permanent exhibition in The Guggenheim. I’m truly proud of you, sweetie. We all are.” Molly raised her glass. Ally squeezed my hand as everyone raised their glasses and took a drink.
As Molly lowered her glass, she looked down to her husband and held out her hand. Rome took it immediately.
Turning back to us, Molly continued. “Just this week I was working in my office, trying to plan a release date for my next textbook. When I glanced at the calendar, I actually sat back in my chair in shock.” A small smile pulled on her lips and she pushed her black glasses up her nose. “It’s twenty-five years this very month since I flew to the USA... to the University of Alabama... to study for my Masters.”
“God, Molls,” Ally exclaimed. She shook her head in disbelief. “Twenty-five years?”
Molly nodded in disbelief and Lexi laughed. “I remember that day as though it was yesterday, Molls. You moved in with Cass and me. You were so nervous.”
“Yeah, but we soon knocked that shit right outta you, didn’t we, Molls? Soon made you one of us.”
Molly laughed. “You sure did, Cass,” she said happily, then glanced down at the tabletop. “I bring this up because... as I look around this table, at all of us... I can’t believe how far we’ve all come. What we’ve all accomplished... and the obstacles we’ve all had to overcome.”
Molly’s face grew serious. “The reason I decided to go to Alabama was because I had no one in England, no family, no real friends… nothing.”
Ally’s hand squeezed mine as she looked at her best friend, sadness clear on her face.
“Baby...” Rome whispered, edging forward on his seat. Molly lifted her hand to cut him off.
“No, I’m not looking for sympathy, Rome. Quite the opposite.” She faced the rest of us again. “My first day in Bama I met Lexi and Cass. And without judgment or expectation, the two of you took me on as your best friend and you changed my life.” She then looked at Rome. “Then on my very first day of studies, I ran into you… literally... and that was it. I was yours and you were mine from that day onward.”
This time, nothing was stopping Rome from leaning up and kissing his wife. Molly ran her hand down his face. Then she turned to Ally. “Through Rome I met the most lovely girl in the world... his cousin, Ally. Ally, you fast became, and still are, family to me. You’re the sister I never had, but always wanted.”
“You too, Molls,” Ally quickly agreed through a throat tight with emotion. Molly laughed as she wiped away a stray tear. Leaning in closer to my wife, I put my arm around Ally’s shoulder and she immediately melted into my side.
“I remember the day I was asked to come to America by my professor. I remember thinking it through... wondering if it would be the right move for me to make. In the end I thought 'what the hell' and jumped in with both feet. And because of that leap of faith, I’m now living a life I could barely have imagined. In truth, I honestly think we all are.”
Molly pointed to Cassie and JD. “Cass and JD met the same night as Rome and I... and now you’re the proud parents of five beautiful boys... and run one of the most successful ranches in Texas.”
She next looked to Lexi. Tears fell down her cheeks. “Lex, you know what I think about you. Hands down, you’re the bravest... the most courageous person I’ve ever met in my life. You overcame an illness that I can’t even imagine coping with. Yet you do so with grace... and a fierce determination. You’re my inspiration, my faith that a person can overcome anything.”
“Molls,” Lexi cried, unable to speak any further. Austin pulled his wife tightly into his arms and kissed her head. My chest tightened at the sight... my emotions f*cking working overtime.
“It’s true, Lex,” Molly assured, “And on your journey you fell in love with Austin. Austin who, along with his two brothers, faced a kind of hell that no human being should ever have to endure.” Molly fixed her eyes on me and Austin and Levi. “The three of you have overcome so much grief... so much heartache. But in the end, your love as brothers... your love for each other... pulled you through and made you the men you are today.”
Molly then smiled at Ally, Elsie and Lexi. “Along with your wives, of course... three women whose tenacity and ability to love fiercely showed you that there was happiness and joy to be had in this life... and that life is far too short to stay stuck in the past.
“Levi plays in the NFL... Austin and Lexi run centers in Seattle to help troubled teens... and of course, Axel and Ally, who have taken the art world by storm.” Molly turned to her husband. “And us, baby. You, the Tide coach. And me, a professor... and our four beautiful children who complete our lives.”